Top striker William Bopape scored a hat-rick against Black Leopards last weekend.
By: Refilwe Sebola
Top striker William Bopape delivered an unforgettable performance, netting a hat-trick as a well-organized Continental decisively beat the youthful Black Leopards 3-1 at Nkowankowa Stadium last Saturday.
The home side took an early lead with a stunning free-kick executed by William, who is rapidly earning a reputation as a free-kick specialist. After a foul was committed just outside the penalty area, the Continental fans erupted in chants for William, who confidently placed the ball in the far-right corner, leaving the Leopards’ goalkeeper with no chance.
Despite their commendable efforts to play an attractive style of football, the Leopards struggled to find the equalizer and were unlucky not to score. Moments later, William struck again with a sensational goal inside the box. He skilfully turned and unleashed a volley that extended Continental’s lead to 2-0 by halftime.
Black Leopards regrouped and came out stronger in the second half, finding the back of the net and boosting their confidence as they aggressively pursued an equalizer. They played with heightened intensity; however, they were caught off guard by the experienced Continental side, who sealed their victory with William’s third goal late in the half.
Leopards coach Bally Smart acknowledged his team’s efforts but highlighted their struggle to be effective in the final third. He stated that while they created numerous opportunities to enter the box, converting those chances into goals proved elusive. “All we needed was one goal to change the game,” he remarked.
Continental coach Peace Khosa expressed his satisfaction with the players’ performance and the match outcome. He emphasized that their victory came from following tactical instructions and capitalizing on the Leopards’ playing style, showcasing their superior execution on the pitch.